Foundation roller, shaper, and earth stabilizer



May 18, 1954 R. H. H.,HUGMAN FOUNDATION ROLLER, SHAPRR, AND EARTH STARILIZER Filed Oct. 3, 1950 4 sheets-snaai 1 2 V LMA" ,v I i nl# R In f In A l M ...n W .f x &.\ h... l I

May 18, 1954 R, H. H. HUGMAN FOUNDATION ROLLER, SHAPER, AND EARTH STABILIZER Filed Oct. 5, 1950 4 Sheets-Sheet .2

May 1s, 1954 R. H. H. HUGMAN l2,678,593

FOUNDATION ROLLER, SHAPER; AND EARTH STABILIZER Filed oct. s, 195o 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. /Poas/P-r ivf/1i Hoa-MAN May 18, 1954 R, H. H. HUGMAN FOUNDATION ROLLER, SHAPER, AND ERTH STABILIZER Filed Oct. 3, 1950 4 Sheets-.Sheet 4 Patented May 18, 1954 UNITED STATES Fo'UNDA'rroN ROLLER, sHArER, EARTHi STABILIzEa@ Rober-t HaH. Hugman, San-Antonio,` Tex.` Application o'ctob'er's, 195`oserial No. 188,213

Z Claims;M (01.' 94-50) Thisf invention relates1 to a A foundation I roller, Shaper `fand -earth stabilizer', and i hasrrfor one of- T itsohjectsfthe production ofal simple 'andi efficient means" for rolling and shaping earth preparatoryf to pouring concrete thereon, in a mannerwhere'- 5 I b'yth'e-i conc-rete slab which is formed A4is -lprovidc-idwith*vertical` reinforcing beams Lon i centers both ways to*addgreatlyftothei strength of the slab; i Arfrtheroojectofthisinvention is the production of la'simple and 'ecient Imachinev which i 10 i is constructed ina-manner to facilitatethe'forme ing; sha-ping andstahilizlation of a foundationaarea, upon which area a concrete slab is adapted to ioefformedf Other objects' andi advantagesofthepresentA 15 invention" will* appeal throughout the following?- specication and "claimsh Inr the drawings:

` Figure- 1 is a side @ievado-naiA ViewA of one type of lmachine with" which the roller-is used; 20

Figure' 2 is" a longitudinal sectional View through the roller; a portion thereof `being"shovsn in'"elevation, and the` roller beingm'oimtedfiri ase soci'ation with a modied type offrame and ma chine;-

Figure -3 is-"ar fragmentary vertical sectional?A view partlyL inuelevation* taken `onl lire- 3;;31015" Figures;

Figure@ is a` fragmentary top plan-vieW-"of" a shapedffareaiormed by thesmproved roller 3` Figureris a fragmentary longitudinal section-'- al `View partly in-elevationil-lustrating a modiedfl type* of'-i roller which is t'provided with f a* heating' means;

Figure v6- 1isar fragmentary `fend* elevational view 35 i of the-structure shown -in Figure 5;

Figure 'I` is -a perspectiveview of th'e roller sli'ovrnfin` Figure :2,1 with a draft element Iand in its simplified Iform.r

Byreferring to the drawings-in detail, it` will 45"' be seen that IIl designates the frame of one type ofsm'achi-rreiwith which the improved? Shaper roller IIis-adapted to -be used;l Thefframe Inlis sup` poxfteiiunonv suitably retractable front and reafri wheelsI I 2'l and I 2a of a conventional type- 'which 45 'f maybe-raised and lowered by means 'of' si'iitalolefl hydraulicj actuatin'glrneans I3 also of a conven-y tional3 type; The hydraulic `actuating means is adapted to* loel controlled by the-i operatori through thefmediumof a conventional control I4 Vadjacent 5o"V thefoperators seat I5. A motor I6 Ais mounted? uponi-the frameV I0,` and a suitable transmission mechanism I1 -isprovided for drivingtheuniverlztiof them-schine Tii'eshaft Is also ifi-driven A ssl* through the medium of thetransmi'ssion mechasnism Il -for driving'rth'e sprocketiand chain'driveii 201 to Joperatefthef'she'epfoot `traction roller 2l; of `thelcorwentional type; The traction roller 2li is mountedV Aforwardly of vthe shaperfroller I I `andy' rearwardlyof the front Wheels I2? Asiscome'f mon -with machines ofi thisl general typegwtWol rear Wheels-such as `the- Wheel' `I 2ewhich` is shownti in" Figure 1, arepi'ovided; and'ttvo front wheels-r such as the front wheel I2,also are provided.l Since these are of the'A conventional typeit is* thought unnecessary toillustrate both ofthe front and both of the rear supporting wheels.`l A3 suitablefsighting arrangement in the nature'V of standards A and B are 4support'edin spaced rel'ae" tion in line of" sight ofthe operator to facilitates straight driving of the' machine.

It should be understood `that a frame such asN I Ilamay hesupported bythe Shaper roller IIs." A motor 22 ismounted upon the frame Iiia and`V a tank` 23=or tanks 23' and Zll are carried b'yz; theframe` Iiia for feeding.: asphalt emulsion or other selected emulsionto vthe roller IIe. The roller I Ia isan importantfeature of the-inven'f 25` tion, Whether operated'l with a specially con-V structed machine or considered and operated` singularly to accomplish the desired purpose;

The`roller"II comprises a hollow drum-like hodyormedl-of metal orz thevlike, havingza plu-A rality offoutwardlyipressed longitudinally extend# ingfispaced ribs 26 formed therein, and a plurality' of outwardly;V pressed circumferential'ly. spaced rilosi'i also forrned'itherein. The ribs-2liL and-2l are hollow, asfshown.i The ribs 2=are-p`roY vided with'` inwardlyfconverging 'side wallsf 2 8;, arida-V the ribs `2l are provided withoutwardly converg ing side wal1si-29. The ribs `2t are therefore Wideratl their outer ends `and 'recede- `toward the bodyl of the roller I I, whereas the ribs 2li taper' toward-l their outer ends; This `construction will facilitate' the rolling. or the roller IIa over the earthto form clearly` deneclimpressedr channels or iiidentations in the surfaceiof the earth in. a wai'-` fle-like pattern, as" shown in Figure 4l The formation'of `the ribs 26"'wi1l facilitate the Withdrawal of the ribs 26 frein the surface of the earth'as`tl`1e roller fI Ia rotates' in the direction` of thearret/"shown in Figure 3. The ribs '26wi11'r cause` channels "i'toi bepressecl into the surface of therearth, the side =`walls of Which"iiare"upi Wardlyand outwardly as the" roller ila rolls in the direction of thejarrotv; in themanner also outwardly. The roller lla is carried by a longitudinal axle 32 which is journalled at its opposite ends in the hanger arms 33 of the frame Ita.

A plurality of spoked wheels 34 are carried by the axle 32 within the roller l la, as shown in Figure 2. The spokes of one wheel 34 preferably are arranged in staggered relation to the spokes of the adjoining wheels, or are alternately out of alignment relative to the length of the roller lla. The outer ends of the spokes 34a fit in the outwardly pressed portions of the roller at the junction of the longitudinal and circumferential ribs to brace the roller at these points. Other ribs 34h extend into the circumferential hollow ribs 21 to brace the ribs 21 intermediate the ribs 2, as shown in Figure 3. Longitudinal bracing members 35 are welded to the spokes 3M and 34D and to the inner face of the drum-like body of the roller lla. A reinforcing circumferential band 36 is fitted within each circumferential hollow rib 21, as shown in Figure 2, and these bands 3S are fixed to the spokes as shown. The roller l le, therefore, will be thoroughly braced while being relatively light in weight to facilitate transportation when not in use. A closure plate 31 preferably closes each end of the roller Ilu to tightly seal the interior, and removable plugs 3S are carried by each plate 31 to facilitate the filling ofthe roller l ia with water to obtain the desired weight. These plugs 33 may be removed for draining the roller when it is desired to transport the roller without the added weight of the contained Water.

In operation, and by referring to Figure l, it will be seen that means in the nature of supporting wheels l2 and l2a are provided for transporting the machine from place to place, and for properly locating the shaper roller l! with respect to previously formed earth impressions. The wheels i2 and lZa will facilitate the location of the roller ll in a properly registered position with respect to previously formed earth impressions so as to keep a proper alignment of the wallie-like pattern of impressions which are being formed in the surface of the earth which is being treated prior to laying the concrete area. The roller il is of the same structure previously described relative to roller lia, or other types of roller may be substituted such as that shown in the modified form-note Figures 5 and 6. It is necessary that the roller be built so that each set of impressions made by the roller will line up in both directions with the set of earth impressions previously made, especially when the roller is of a size which will not form a pattern of a desired width or area. The longitudinal ribs of the roller must be placed so as to line up with the previously formed transverse impressions formed in the earth and the outer circumferential rib must nt into the last continuous impression. This may be accomplished by lifting the shaper roller and moving the machine to the desired position and then lowering the roller ll to the desired position. This operation is facilitated by raising and lowering the supporting wheels l2 and l2@ to raise and lower the frame lil. The roller H is suspended from the hanger frame fill. The sheep foot traction roller 2l will facilitate traction as well as preparing the earth surface in advance of the Shaper roller H. If desired the roller H may be made retractable without departing from the spirit of the invention. The shaper foundation roller is preferably located under the center of balance of the total machine. The sheep foot traction roller 2l is suitably suspended from the frame lll by means of a hanger 43.

A suitable horizontal tank lll is carried by the frame it, and a similar tank may be provided upon the opposite side of the motor. Asphalt emulsion is contained in the tank 4l and is fed to a spray pipe ft2 located longitudinally above the central axis of the shaper roller l l. This emulsion, as it spreads over the surface of the roller l l, will contact and be forced into the surface of the earth as the roller rolls over` this surface, thereby impregnating the surface below the roller for a certain depth, as at thereby stabilizing the surface and retaining the waffle-like pattern without interruption, breakage or distortion. A slab of concrete may then be poured directly upon this prepared surface to define a strip which is reinforced by vertical reinforcing beams on centers both ways or in crossed relation thereby greatly adding to the strength of the slab so formed.

Various types of machines may be used to support the roller, such as is shown in Figure 1, or that as shown in Figure 2, and any suitable controls may be provided to regulate the flow of asphalt emulsion to the Shaper roller. The roller i le shown in Figure 2 is used in a manner similar to that as described above, and the spray pipe 25 is adapted to spray emulsion upon the face of the roller l lu where this emulsion is then pressed into the surface of the earth to form an impregnated protective coating lill and thereby hold the surface of the earth in a securely formed and stabilized pattern.

In Figures 5 and 6 there is shown a modified form of the invention wherein a frame A5 carries a Shaper roller 46 of the same general hollow type having similar ribs formed upon the surface thereof as that previously described with respect to the roller Ila. In this form, however, the hollow axle bi1 is xed to the frame 45 and supports a burner 4S. A supply pipe 49 is connected to the hollow axle 41 for supplying gas such as butane gas to the burner through the axle from a suitable supply tank ES. The roller 46 in this instance is open at each end, as at 5l, and any desired number of burners may be supported in an upright position within the roller for heating the same when used with heavy asphalt. A suitable spray pipe 52 preferably is suspended in front of the roller t@ in this form and is supplied from the storage tank 54. The asphalt in this form is sprayed directly upon the surface of the earth or soil in front of the roller and prior to the formation of a pattern.

In Figure l there is shown a simple embodiment of the type of roller 55 which may be attached to a draft means by means of the frame 56. In this view the general arrangement of the ribs 51 is illustrated which is common to all types of Shaper rollers referred to in the various modified forms.

In the type of machine shown in Figure l, the frame thereof is supported by rubber tired wheels which may support the foundation shaper roller ll above the ground or earth which is to be treated and shaped. The roller l l may therefore be moved to a selected position and by retracting the wheels l2 and [2e the foundation shaper roller li as well as the sheep foot traction roller 2l, will be brought into contact with the surface of the ground or earth, and will bear the entire weight of the machine. The roller 2l will prepare the surface in advance of the roller and the emulsion will be spread upon the surface of the ground or earth and pressed into the same by the roller H, thereby stabilizing and shaping the ground or earth surface preparatory to receiving the concrete or other road forming material which is spread thereover. The ribs of the roller I l will provide recesses in the earth or ground surface which is impregnated with the emulsion into which the road forming material will be molded to provide reinforcing beams to strengthen the road surface and to iirmly anchor and stabilize the road surface or panel in position.

Therefore an important method is followed in laying the road surface strip or panel which includes the following steps:

l. The machine is moved to a selected position.

2. The surface of the ground or earth is treated or impregnated with an asphalt emulsion or other suitable material.

3. The shaper roller isbrought into contact with the impregnated surface of the ground or earth.

4. The Shaper roller is then rolled or propelled over the surface so treated to impress a pattern, preferably a waiile-like pattern, thereon, defining a plurality of depressed recesses extending at right-angles to each other in crossed relation.

5. A suitable road forming and shape conforming material such as concrete is spread upon the surface in which a pattern is impressed to conform upon its underside to said pattern.

As a further step in the method, it is preferable to prepare the ground or earth surface in advance of the shaper roller by means of a sheep foot traction roller to facilitate propulsion as well as to prepare, condition, or pulverize the surface or soil to receive the emulsion and the impression from the shaper roller.

It should be noted that various machines may be used including means for moving the Shaper roller itself into direct contact with the ground or earth and retracting the roller, Without departing from the spirit of the invention. Furthermore, the emulsion may be sprayed upon the ground or earth surface in advance of the shaper roller, or sprayed directly upon the shaper roller. The sheep foot roller may ormay not be used as occasion may arise, but this sheep foot roller has been found to provide an efficient traction means as well as an efficient surface preparing means prior to 'the application of the emulsion.

Having described the invention, what claimed as new is:

1. A machine for preparing earth surfaces upon which surfacing material is to be laid 6 comprising a frame, a roller carried by said frame, said roller comprising a drum-like body having a plurality of outwardly pressed longitudinal and a plurality of outwardly pressed circumferential spaced ribs formed therein, said ribs being hollow, an axle for said drum-like body, a plurality of spaced wheels carried by said axle within said body and having projecting portions fitting in said outwardly pressed circumferential spaced ribs to brace said circumferential spaced ribs, said wheels also having portions tting in raid longitudinal spaced ribs bracing the 1ongitudinal spaced ribs, and longitudinal bracing members secured to the inner face of said drumlilre body and inwardly of the longitudinal ribs bracing the body throughout its length and intermediate said spaced wheels.

2. A machine as defined in claim l, wherein the wheels are provided with spokes, and the projecting portions comprise the ends of the spokes fitting in the outwardly pressed circumferential spaced ribs, and wherein the circumferential ribs taper outwardly, and the longitudinal ribs are provided with inwardly converging side walls thereby defining longitudinal ribs wide at i their outer ends and receding toward said body to facilitate the rolling of a clean-cut pattern upon an earth surface area having clearly defined impressed channels in a waflle-like pattern to reinforce and anchor road surface material in place upon an earth surface area.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 299,482 Landreth May 27, 1884 739,307 Grubb Sept. 22, 1903 1,099,185 Loveland June 9, 1914 1,211,811 Bailey Jan. 9, 1917 1,270,725 Gratton June 25, 1918 1,410,733 Cary Mar. 28, 1922 1,477,323 Dennis Dec. 11, 1923 1,701,497 Heath Feb. 12, 1929 2,090,290 Gardner Aug. 17, 1937 2,134,245 Carswell Oct. 25, 1938 2,197,183 Keeler Apr. 16, 1949 2,437,524 Harrison et al Mar. 9, 1948 2,582,199 Gardner et al Jan. 8, 1952 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 45,724 Austria Jan. 10, 1911 679,003 Germany July 27, 1939 

